IS THE "UNCLEAN" LAW FOR US TODAY?

 I was asked to read a booklet entitled "Why Strain at a Gnat and swallow a Camel?  Is the unclean law for us today?" 

The subject of the clean and unclean meats has been a very controversial subject for the Church of God (7th Day).  It has caused a big split in the organization around the early 1950s.  The unclean law this booklet is talking about is not the dietary law of the clean and unclean animals to eat mentioned in scripture.

The doctrinal beliefs of the Church of God (Seventh Day),  upholds the law of the clean and unclean animals for food.  In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 there are instructions on what animals are clean or unclean.  It also mentions the names or kinds of birds, animals, fish, fruits and vegetables that are clean or unclean to eat.   This doctrine does not speak of the unclean laws, which the booklet says includes unclean animals consumed for food.  Yes, God created both clean and unclean animals, birds, fish etc.  God created clean animals to be for sacrifice and consumption. To me the Booklet is the one Straining at a Gnat and swallowing a Camel."  

It states that the "unclean law" (not clean and unclean animals to consume.) covers six major areas.  It lists them which were given to the Israelites and listed unclean things.  One on the list is touching a dead person or animal.  The booklet states that this "unclean law" should stand or fall in tact, or a good reason should be shown why part should be kept while the rest is discarded.  Me: I agree with that last statement.  I do not believe the unclean law and the clean and unclean laws are the same law.  

The problem facing us today is not one of reading labels to see if they say, "pure vegetable shortening", but rather are the principles included in the "unclean law" still in force today?  My answer to that is: the clean and unclean laws of meats is still for us today.  The unclean laws of animals to use on  an alter, and the touching of dead body's, etc. are no longer for us today.  Those unclean laws were for the Israelites.  When Jesus died on the Cross, all those laws were done away with.  I believe there are two different laws, one - unclean laws for living and two - clean and unclean laws for food.  The unclean laws in the Old Testament were for the people before Jesus' sacrificed himself on the cross.  There is no need for sacrifices today.  At Jesus' death on the cross, those laws came to an end.  Jesus took our sins upon himself, he is the ultimate sacrificial lamb.  No more commands to do animal sacrifices.   

If we focus on one point and blow it up out of proportion, while completely ignoring the other five points do we not fall under Jesus' condemnation, when he said, "ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." found in Matthew 23:24.  Why stress on one point so strongly as to make it a test of fellowship and a requisite for salvation, while treating the rest of the law as if it were of no consequence?  It wasn't intended to be used that way.   Your salvation depends solely on God's Amazing Grace.  In the doctrine of the COG7  it is one of God's commands for clean living and not one of the Ten Commandments.  Whether we eat clean or unclean, shouldn't be made a rule for salvation.  It isn't about salvation.  We should still fellowship together and let God take care of who is right.  One thing we should remember, if we believe it is wrong to eat or do a certain thing, then to us it is a sin.  It might not truly be a sin, but if we feel it is a sin to do it, then to us it is a sin.

In the KJV Bible Matthew 23:24 is entitled (man's title) "Seven woes to the scribes and Pharisees."  Jesus is speaking to the multitude and his disciples.  He is telling them that the scribes and Pharisees are in authority (sit in Moses' seat).  Jesus' words, "Therefore whatever they bid you, observe and do, but do not "do" their works: for they say one thing, but do another."  What does this scripture have to do with the unclean law?  And which unclean law?  Meat or things?  Why stress on one point of the law and ignore the other?  This point I do agree with. 

It states: during the last two or three generations, especially among Sabbath-keepers, there has risen a new school of thought.  This school holds the view that the law which forbade the Israelites to consume certain meats is still valid, and should still be observed today. (I agree)  Does this mean the unclean laws were just for the Israelites?  I believe so.  The unclean law included unclean animals for sacrifice and were just for them. The clean and unclean laws for food were in effect before the Israelites even existed.  In the beginning God gave his people only herbs bearing seeds to eat.  They did not eat meat at this time.  At the time of Adam and Eve, God only gave them fruits and vegetables with seeds.  After the fall of Adam, God gave them meat to eat.  That is why he tells what is clean to eat and what is not clean to eat.  It makes sense to say that there was no need for clean and unclean law for food, until God gave them meat to eat.  

It isn't a sin to use unclean meats once unclean to the Israelites. (I disagree)  This was a natural course, since they thought it made no difference in the meats, believing God would receive both the one that ate unclean meats and they one that only ate the clean meats.  This is not a salvation issue.

We want to examine the "unclean" law as a whole.  (Notice it isn't the law of clean and unclean).  We want to examine the "unclean" law as a whole to see "when" it was given as well as to determine "what" areas were covered.  As a study on the Sabbath question (that wasn't the topic) would it not be complete without placing it in its proper setting among the other nine?  Me:  The unclean law is not part of God's Ten Commandments.  Even so a study of any portion of the "unclean" law should be received in its relation to the whole "unclean" law. (Me:) Not the Ten Commandments. 

The "unclean law" was given as one unit.  The bible records the giving of the "unclean" law to Israel and is found in the 5th and 15th chapters of Leviticus.  This law covers six major areas, one area the  eating of unclean meats, animals and fowls classified as unclean.  They state that any one of the six areas could cause a "person" to be unclean, not animals.  Isn't it fair to state that this "unclean" law should stand or fall intact, or good reason should be shown why part should me kept while the rest done away with.  Me:  The "unclean" laws were done away with after Christ died.  This is not talking about the clean and unclean meats.  The ones who feel (believe?) the law is in effect today only observer the part that governs the eating of certain animals. Me: not just animals, birds and fish also.  The rest they say, is done away with.  Me:  The meat used for sacrifices were done away with.  The clean and unclean law for food still exists today and always will.  

Me: Let's look at a scripture in the New Testament that people use to prove God made all things clean.  The scripture used is found in Acts 10, where the sheet was let down in front of Peter.  This was a vision.  There were both clean and unclean animals on the sheet.  God said kill and eat.  He was testing him.  Peter said no Lord, I have never eaten any common or unclean animal.  This shows Peter knew and had kept the dietary laws of clean and unclean animals.  This scripture isn't talking about the clean and unclean meats, it is about people.  God said do not call people common or unclean.  Do not reject what God has cleansed, and created.  In Noah's day he knew the difference between the clean and unclean animals.  God told him to take into the ark by twos the unclean animals, by seven's the clean animals.  If Noah had never heard about clean and unclean animals how would we know which ones were which.  

To prove this position there are two points that needed to be established.  The first is that it was required before it was given to Israel in the wilderness, (I agree)  showing that it wasn't just part of the "added law; Galatians 3:19, which reads:  "Wherefore then serve the law?"  It was added because of transgression, till the seed should come (Jesus) to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Jesus).  (the added laws were the laws of Moses God gave him to govern the Israelite people while they were in the wilderness.)  These laws were given because the hardening of the hearts of the people, and their transgressions against God and his laws, I believe it was in force, to show that we are to keep the law of the clean and unclean "meats".  The second point is it was in force during the days of the apostles.  I agree.  To conclude we are to keep this law.  The first point should be establish and the second point "must" be proven.  (I believe both points were established and proven.)  Just because I do not agree with everything in the booklet, I won't ever, condemn anyone for their beliefs.  That is between them and God.  Not mine to judge.

If you are interested in reading the booklet contact Jerry Boer on face book.  He is the one that sent it to me.  Study this subject for yourselves.  First and foremost always pray over a study before beginning to explore it and read the scriptures.  


Please read and send me your comments: oklibrarianc@yahoo.com


Posted by *Starlight* March 5, 2026

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